P.O. BOX 10070 – BROOKSVILLE, FL 34603-0070 FAX 352 796-0493 PHONE 352 754-6830
Media Release
From: Deputy Wendy McGinnis
Public Information Officer, 352-754-6830
Re: Tiffany Lynn Mitchell Arrested for Manslaughter by Culpable Negligence
Date: July 12, 2011
Case#: 2011-03613
Victim: Kaylynn Bella Mitchell DOB 10/8/2008
Suspect: Tiffany Lynn Mitchell, DOB 07/24/1984.
Charge: Manslaughter by Culpable negligence
F.S.S. 782.07 ($15,000 Bond)
On 01/31/11, at approximately 6:10 am members of the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office responded to 18170 Ferry Avenue, Brooksville, with regards to Kaylynn Bella Mitchell, AKA “Bella,” being found unresponsive by her mother, Tiffany Lynn Mitchell. Upon the arrival of Spring Hill Fire and Rescue, the toddler was pronounced deceased. As a result of this incident, major case detectives were assigned to respond to the address to investigate further into the death of the toddler.
On 03/10/11 Tiffany came to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office for an interview with detectives. During this post Miranda recorded interview, the detective informed Tiffany that the toxicology report from the Medical Examiners Office showed Kaylynn had Oxycodone in her system. Tiffany denied during this interview that she had any knowledge of Oxycodone or how Kaylynn would have obtained the Oxycodone. This interview was concluded after the defendants continued denial of involvement or knowledge of her daughter obtaining Oxycodone.
On 03/11/11 Tiffany contacted the detective and requested to come to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office and speak with him about the investigation. During a Post Miranda formal recorded interview on 03/11/11, Tiffany advised that she put an Oxycodone in her purse. When she and her children arrived home, she took the Oxycodone out of her purse and placed it on her night stand, which was in close proximity to Kaylynn‘s bedroom. Tiffany advised that she then took a 15 minute shower and, when she returned to her room, she found that the Oxycodone was not on the night stand.
Tiffany advised that she looked for the Oxycodone, but because it was getting late she discontinued looking for it. On 01/31/11 Kaylynn was found deceased by Tiffany. Tiffany advised that she never thought that her daughter would walk into her room while she was in the shower and take the Oxycodone. Tiffany stated that she automatically knew that the tablet she left on the night stand had to be the one in Kaylynn’s system which caused her death. Tiffany also made the statement to the detective that when she found “Bella” unresponsive, she suspected that “Bella” had taken the Oxycodone, but she hoped that this was not the case. An autopsy, with the 5th Judicial Medical Examiner Office, determined the cause of death to be Oxycodone toxicity.
“This is just one more horribly tragic example of how prescription drugs can be as lethal as firearms when they get into the wrong hands" said Sheriff Al Nienhuis.
On 07/12/2011 Tiffany Lynn Mitchell was arrested for Manslaughter by Culpable Negligence and is currently being held at the Hernando County Jail on a $15,000 bond.